Set my teeth on edge Why Should I Care

Why Should I Care?

You might know that Shakespeare was pretty good at this whole language thing. So it probably comes as no surprise to find out that for Shakespeare, the mastery of languages, speech, and rhetoric is closely aligned with authority and control.

Early on, Henry IV, Part I establishes freedom of speech as a powerful tool of rebellion and resistance to authority, especially for Hotspur. At times, language is associated with manipulation, deceit, and effeminacy, but, as in all Shakespeare's work, language is ultimately synonymous with power.

Yet, it becomes clear throughout the play that Hotspur's lack of rhetorical control and disdain for foreign speech make him unfit to be a leader. Hotspur is so ticked off here—or should we say, his teeth are on edge—about language, and it seems like a bit of an overreaction to us.

Should we really have disdain for people who aren't speaking our language? We don't know about you, but that very idea sets our teeth on edge.